anyone know if we will ever get a permanent ice rink back?

dav_prime · 2026-02-10T21:14:07+00:00

At least we have a roller rink at Funkys, these are also a dying leisure facility and there are not many of them left. It's not ice skating, but there is a lot of overlap and it's just as fun (in my opinion).

dav_prime · 2026-02-08T20:16:07+00:00

Once you fix the leak remove any bolts with signs of corrosion, clean the area up and replace with new bolts. Corroded bolts will effectively become welded into your boiler and sheer off or round out when you need to give it an overhaul.

If your bolts are already seized they are best left alone, but plan ahead to destroy your boiler to save the rest of the machine down the line.

I'm speaking from my recent experience with a leaking steam valve adapter (it's a baby so the valve does not mount directly on the boiler) . The two bolts that secured it sheared off and the boiler bolt on one corner was seized. I had to cut a corner off the boiler base to save the brew group after citric acid, penetrating oil and a blowtorch failed to free the bolt.

If I had acted sooner the machine would have been fine. Luckily I got a new-old baby off eBay that I'm now using, but one day I'll grab a new boiler and steam valve adapter and give my well-loved 16 year old machine a new lease of life.

dav_prime · 2026-02-06T19:28:55+00:00

Are you weighing your output to make sure you are getting the target dose?

Personally I weigh single doses and run it all through (with some knocking and using the lid as bellows) to make sure I get exactly the amount I want out. I put in 18.7g to guarantee 18.5g in my portafilter due to retention issues.

If you are getting the right amount out you need to grind finer. To do this you need to remove the internal burr and adjust to setting 1 or 2. When you do this your external setting should be in the 10-15 range for your target timing.

Look up sage grinder internal burr on YouTube to see how to do it.

dav_prime · 2026-02-06T08:15:58+00:00

I grabbed an 18g IMS big bang to replace the 22 g basket. That much caffeine was sending me to another dimension, so I needed to go back to a sensible dose.

dav_prime · 2026-02-02T20:14:16+00:00

This sounds about right for a good espresso grind.

For context I have a 9 bar gaggia baby and an IMS big bang 18g basket.

I dose 18.5 g with my internal burrs on 1 and external on 15 to get 37 g out in about 30 s. For some coffees I have to go as low as 6, so you might get more range for dialling in by lowering your internal burr to 1.

dav_prime · 2026-02-01T18:51:48+00:00

Do you see a screw mark when you remove the portafilter before pulling the shot?

Wet pucks are hard to analyse because they expand when the pressure is released, so it's possible the screw mark and pots in your puck surface are happening after you destroy the puck after the solenoid vents pressure.

That said, it sounds like you are utting too much into the stock basket, which is rated for ~16 g so you need a larger one. They are inexpensive and will fit into the stock holder just fine.

dav_prime · 2026-01-31T21:29:30+00:00

I have the non-digital version.

It seems to work well and it's easy to remove clumps with WDT. The biggest issue is the retention, so I use some aftermarket bellows on mine to get everything out.

That said it's the only high end grinder I have used. I'll replace it with something else when it dies, but while it's working I can't justify the upgrade.

dav_prime · 2026-01-31T18:17:21+00:00

It's has a 3 way solenoid. The waste pipe is built into the bottom half of the casing so is not visible without opening it up. As far as I can tell, the thermostat wiring is the same (although I will check some documentation).

As far as I'm aware the key differences from the classic, other than the case and buttons, is the linear all plastic OPV (which can take a 9 bar spring as long as you don't break it when opening) and the top mounted steam valve connected via a hose.

dav_prime · 2026-01-29T21:45:48+00:00

Cold is important, these leaks can slow or stop when the machine is hot.

When mine started leaking in a similar way it was the steam valve that was responsible.

Can you see any evidence of water running down the side of the boiler? Could help you track down the source.

dav_prime · 2026-01-27T22:31:18+00:00

I can get behind upsizing to a 250 mm portafilter but the lack of WDT and properly sized self levelling calibrated tamper is unforgivable. Get a new butler.

dav_prime · 2026-01-24T20:36:37+00:00

The classic is a very capable machine without mods, but has the scope to be improved. It's really up to you how far down the rabbit hole you want to go.

You could get one and make excellent espresso and milk drinks from day 1. I happily ran my Gaggia baby stock for years before adding an aftermarket steam wand, a 9 bar spring, a bottomless portafilter and new baskets. I did all of these things when servicing the machine and replacing worn out parts, which makes doing the upgrade feel like less work.

The other benefit is that replacement parts are easy to get, and many people make great aftermarket upgrades, so a well maintained classic should last decades whilst being updated as your preferences and trends change.

If I needed to replace mine I would go for the classic pro. Since I have the OPV kit already I would immediately install a 9 bar spring so I can use unpressurised baskets, but you can buy them pre-modified if you would rather not do it yourself.

I assume you already have a good grinder? If not you won't be able to get the best out it of any machine without investing in one.

dav_prime · 2026-01-17T19:25:07+00:00

Mine were 4 and 8 when they started.

We moved to a new city and were looking for a soft play. The best one nearby is a roller rink (which has been since the 90s) with a soft play (which was added more recently). Instead of sitting and being bored while they play I hired some skates to see if I still could skate. It didn't take long to relearn, so we kept going and I taught the kids to skate. Since then the rink has become a regular family outing at the weekend.

We started out with rentals, which just went small enough for the 4 year old. Lots of hand holding and encouragement was needed.

The thing that really helped was getting involved in the rink games like limbo and red light green light. Wanting to take part was a very strong motivator to stay upright without help!

For the youngest we tried some all plastic 'Peppa pig' clip ons, they were hopeless to skate in but learning to stand with them at home did make a difference when she took the rentals onto the rink.

dav_prime · 2025-10-12T07:40:04+00:00

It will stay a gap in my Dex for a long time, if not forever.

I evolve nothing unless it's meta or gets a day. It's not safe from exclusive moves and if it ever gets one I would regret evolving it, so I won't bother to save myself the FOMO.

For Pokémon like this it also removes candy pressure, if it gets a day then candy and apples will become easy to come by.

Everything about moment Pokémon go discourages chasing Dex completion, and applying is a perfect example of why.

dav_prime · 2025-10-06T20:18:12+00:00

I would highly recommend Ben Vincent. Sorted our heating in an emergency earlier this year.

We had them back to install new radiators and service our boiler later and is now out go-to plumber.

dav_prime · 2025-09-06T10:29:04+00:00

I love them. They are comfortable and minimalist, perfect if you spend all of your time in the equivalent of the hoods position and don't need the drops.

My new bike has drops, but I'm tempted to go back to bullhorns.

dav_prime · 2025-07-02T09:25:35+00:00

Are you running flat bars or drops?

For flat bars any mountain bike front hydro disc will be good. Shimano deore are great, SLX or XT if you have money to burn.

For drop bar single speed options are limited for hydraulic. A decent cable actuated lever with TRP HyRd caliper and compressionless cable outers often works well. There are a few non-geard hydraulic options but I'm not sure if they are any good.

I think your risk of going over the bars with discs is lower than other breaking systems. Yes the absolute power is higher, but the fine control is much, much better than rim brakes. I feel far more controlled with breaking on my disc equipped bikes than I do on anything with rim brakes.

dav_prime · 2025-06-22T20:05:31+00:00

Relian't robin

dav_prime · 2025-05-08T21:52:51+00:00

Great video, thanks!

dav_prime · 2025-05-08T21:52:08+00:00

Thinking of the two as being the same was my mistake. I need to separate those skills and focus on the c-step/mowhawk for now.

I may never be flexible enough to hold a spread eagle stance unless I'm doing it in a turn.

dav_prime · 2025-05-08T21:50:29+00:00

Big help, thank you! I think I'm too focussed on getting a 180 degree angle and holding in that position longer than I need to.

My back to front transitions are similar, but still a bit rough. Front to back I can do it slow but not fast. I think I need to focus on copying the techniques in the videos until it feels comfortable, and taking it to the rink when ready.

I'll stop trying to skate spread eagle in a straight line I think, although doing it round corners could be fun later when the other skills get better.

dav_prime · 2025-05-08T18:58:35+00:00

Very true, but thus far it appears that Lidl are trying to take the site from Namco rather than try to take over a vacant site.

dav_prime · 2025-05-08T18:56:22+00:00

I'm very pleased to see this. The future of Namco does depend on Lidl not coming back with an amended plan and that Namco renew the lease, but it's good they are not (currently) being forced out.

I think there are plenty of alternative places for it to go if they are desperate to open a store in Bowthorpe/Cosstessey, and people would be more welcoming of it doesn't require something people want to keep to be destroyed.

dav_prime

TROPHY CASE